Infusing Western Life with Tibetan Buddhist Compassion
By just about any survey, algorithmically conducted or informally conversational, when persistent human fears are considered, it is Dying and/or Death that usually appears near the top of most lists. Perhaps this is experienced by some in a very direct way: as fear of the unknown, or of a great and final pain; or for … Read more
Years ago, we at the Chenrezig Project created and distributed bumper stickers that read “Don’t Believe Everything You Think” .. This idea was directed at a myriad of everyday situations, but perhaps found its most profound truth in revealing the nature of our judgments of others. *** We are always working with faulty information . … Read more
OK. Now that Trump won the Presidency, and we know the Russians manipulated this to occur, the dogs still need to go out and pee several times during the day. The horse trough needs to have fresh water and our recycling bin must be at the curb by 6am on Monday morning for the weekly … Read more
Christmas is just a week away, as are Chanukah and Kwanzaa. For many the festive season has begun. Joyous cards have been sent . . . Presents are purchased, soon-to-be-wrapped . . . Friend and family visiting plans are set . . . New Years’ parties RSVP’ed . . . Holiday vacation-time has been earned … Read more
The Sufis say that whatever you can lose in a shipwreck isn’t really yours. :: As we sit around our table with family and friends, giving thanks and offering notions of gratitude, consider that all those things we have, that we give thanks for and appreciate having, are only on loan to us. :: People … Read more
In selling the 2003 invasion of Iraq to the American public, Armed Forces officials described their war plan as employing ‘shock and awe.’ An interesting term, one that represents killing superiority and power beyond any expectations, or means to be protected from. But herein limited to the military arena – bullets, bombs and bloodshed. Ordinary … Read more
Sometimes words can be lightning rods for emotion, action, anxiety, etc. And at other times, words can be quieting, soothing, door-opening. A word not heard very often these days is “pristine” . . . I’d like to dance a bit with how it relates to mind. *** The Tibetan practices teach, and provide practices to … Read more
There is a tendency in each of us to put up with things, to get used to them, or blame them on circumstances. “Ah, if things were right I’d be different.” “Give me the opportunity, I will fulfill myself.” “I am frustrated by the unfairness of it all.” Getting used to disturbances is a sign … Read more
Water is round when in a round receptacle and square in a square one, but water as water has no particular shape. It is good to remember this. *** We see things as this and that, we like this and dislike that; always discriminating based on individual perspectives. Then, caught in their entanglements, forming attachments … Read more
The hateful chatter of today: Rhetoric. Debate. Criticism. Persuasion. Dissuasion. Bias. Threats. Accusations. Manipulations. Say-so. Armed Response. Lives Matter. Assault Guns. Funerals. *** Chuang Tsu said: “Words are not just blown air. They have a meaning. Words seem different from the chirping of birds. Is there a difference or isn’t there?” The intended meanings of … Read more